Wolves Roundup: Jan. 15-21, 2018

Welcome to Wolves Roundup, a weekly report of highlights, notes and transactions from the Chicago Wolves’ previous week of competition during the 2017-18 season.

MILESTONE MAN

On Sunday, Brett Sterling skated in his 700th professional game. The veteran left wing has skated the majority of his career in the American Hockey League (527 games) and for the Chicago Wolves. His 389 contests while wearing Chicago’s crest are the third-most in franchise history.

Earlier this season, the 33-year-old moved into the No. 4 spot on the franchise’s all-time scoring list. On Dec. 12 against the Rockford IceHogs, Sterling collected an assist for his 342nd point to tie former teammate Jason Krog for the No. 4 position. In his next game on Dec. 15, the California native netted two goals to take sole possession of the fourth slot. With 14 points (10G, 4A) on the season, Sterling is just 17 points shy of passing another former teammate — Darren Haydar — for the No. 3 slot.

On Dec. 21 when he skated in his 378th game for the Wolves, Sterling surpassed former teammate Derek MacKenzie for the No. 3 spot in games played. During the first game of the new calendar year — on Jan. 1 — Sterling also passed MacKenzie on the franchise all-time penalty minutes list. He is now just one of three players — the others being Rob Brown and Steve Maltais — to have his name appear on the franchise all-time lists for points, goals, assists, games played and penalty minutes.

All We Do is Win

The Chicago Wolves bumped the franchise benchmark for consecutive home wins with their 10th straight victory at Allstate Arena on Sunday. The previous nine-game record was achieved twice and most recently reached 15 years ago when the Wolves strung together nine victories from March 1 to 26, 2003.

During this season’s franchise— and league—best home win streak, the Wolves have outscored opponents 44-20. Additionally, only two games have ended with a one-goal margin — a great achievement as the Wolves have participated in a league-leading 23 one-goal games this season. In this streak, the Wolves have also recorded a shutout (Jan. 6 vs. Grand Rapids) and have only needed overtime once (Jan. 5 vs Manitoba).

Top Line

Tomas Hyka

The 24-year-old continues to blaze the offensive trail for the Chicago Wolves. Through three games last week, the Czech Republic native registered four points — a goal and three assists — to bring his January point total to 13 (3G, 10A) through 10 games to lead the Wolves in that time period. Additionally, his four points moved him into the No. 2 spot in team scoring with 31 points. With 12 goals, he owns the tiebreaker between he and T.J. Tynan (8-23—31).

Kevin Lough

The 25-year-old blueliner netted his first career AHL goal on Saturday in Chicago’s 6-1 victory over the Bakers eld Condors. He opened scoring just 2:10 in the game. Lough had only one AHL game to his credit prior to joining Chicago and he earned his first AHL points with two assists in his Wolves debut on Dec. 6. His steady play on the blue line earned him an upgrade from a professional tryout to a standard player contract on Jan. 18.

Brandon Pirri

After missing one game for the birth of his child, the 26-year- old returned to the Chicago Wolves in style with a pair of goals — including the marker that stood as the game-winner — in the Chicago Wolves’ 6-1 victory against the Bakersfield Condors. The five-goal differential marked the Wolves’ largest margin of victory this season.

T.J. Tynan

The Orland Park native finished with six assists through three games last week. Since Jan. 1, the 25-year-old has averaged a point per game with a goal and nine assists. His six helpers also moved him into a tie with Tomas Hyka for the No. 2 spot in team scoring with 31 points (8G, 23A).